Blueberry Lemon Kefir Scones

4 Cups Plus 2 Tb  all-Purpose Flour

2 cups of Old Fashion Oats

2/3 cups of granulated sugar

2 tsp of Baking Powder

1/2 tsp of Baking Soda

1 tsp salt

2 sticks of frozen butter (unsalted)

2 Large Eggs

1 cup of Plain Kefir (Homemade if possible)

1 1/2 cup of Wild Frozen Blueberries

Zest of two Lemons

3 drops of Lemon essential Oil

 

Glaze

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

4 Tbs of Orange Juice

 

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 F. Line two baking trays with parchment paper

In a large bowl combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt and zest.

Mix 1 cup of kefir and 2 eggs and Lemon E.O  in small bowl and set aside.

use a box grater and shave the frozen butter in dry flour mixture, use hands to fully incorporate.

Then add egg mixture to dry and mix well.

Use a flour surface and knead the dough, make a large ball and divide dough in 1/4 using a floured knife. Take a 1/4 at a time and spread out into a disk shape, about an inch thick. cute in 8 triangles. bake until golden brown.

 

 

 

 

 

How to choose the right Company to Purchase Essential Oils from

I love making homemade products such as skin care, remedies, shampoos and choosing something natural to cure a headache or illness.  These products can be expensive, but worth it to insure your products are free from preservatives, chemicals and dyes.  I realize you cannot avoid every toxic chemical or preservative in this world, but we can try to conquer this world a little at a time.

I watched a Webinar last week about the top Essential oils to have in your medicine cabinet by Dr. Axe and this is what started my search for E.O. I was so overwhelmed with the amount of companies out there and the difference in prices.  Does the price indicate the quality? What is the grade of E.O? Is it Synthetic or Therapeutic? Uggghhhhhhhhh, Lots to take in. Anyways, I came across an article from The Hippy Homemaker about how to chose the right company to purchase your oils, and I’m so glad I did.

I like the fact that she is not bashing any companies, but just states the facts. Hope you enjoy the read and it helps you in the purchase of your oils in the future.

 

 

Hippy Homemaker Article

Diy bedside table for under $50

So, I love a bargain and I love Spray Paint, yes Spray paint. Everything looks better with some paint, right? I have been watching for price drops on similar tables on Joss and Main, Wayfair, Crate and barrel and on an average they are usually over $100. I was searching for a large trash can that I could turn upside down and paint, but could never find the perfect one. First of all,  I have to give my friend credit for finding this patio table at Big lots, lets say her name is Stephanie.

This Tutorial is pretty simple, I bought two 16 inch tables, $34 each, and a can of metallic spray paint, I chose Gold.

They had smaller tables, the 16 inch worked well for the height of our bed. I believe they also had 14 inch

Finished product. I love it! I planned on ordering some glass to protect the top, but then opted for a thick piece of clear plastic (much cheaper).  Hope you like the Reveal. Next I plan on searching for lamps at a second hand or antique store, wish me luck!

 

DIY Antioxidant Mist

 

First of all Green Tea is amazing! So many uses and benefits to our bodies. Green Tea is not just a beverage you can drink. Oh no! It can be used as facial sprays, face mask, Ice Cream, lattes and so much more. It is loaded with polyphenols like flavonoids and catechins, which function as powerful antioxidants.

One of the more powerful compounds in green tea is the antioxidant Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG), which has been studied to treat various diseases and may be one of the main reasons green tea has such powerful medicinal properties. With that said, applying green tea to the face can help with the free-radicals our skin is exposed to everyday, thanks to the content of antioxidants. Choose a high quality Green Tea, some green tea have fluoride in it.

Two types: Loose Green Tea leaves and MATCHA Green tea. The concentration of green tea in Matcha is much more potent. I like to use the Matcha (powder form) in Green Tea mask, Lattes and Ice cream… (picking a good quality Matcha tea is important too)

Matcha Tea

Face Mask

1 tsp of Matcha Tea

1/2 tsp of mineral or distilled water.

It dissolves really quickly to make a watery paste. leave on for 10 min and follow with a moisturizer.

 

Here is a link for picking out a good quality Matcha Green Tea Here

Okay , sorry I wondered off there, I do that a lot!

 

My favorite Antioxidant spray is Dermatologica Hydramist. It is full of Antioxidants and leaves your face dewy and moistened. It seems like the older I get, the drier my skin get’s as well.  I pay $10 for a 1oz  bottle of this hydramist and $41 for the 5 oz spray bottle. I love this, and actually all of Dermatolgica’s products but they can be pricey.  Anyway’s I was trying to think of a way to recreate this spray, for a quick spritz during the day when I was  feeling dry.

This spray has a lot of ingredients, Essential oils: Rosewood, Sunflower, lemon, clove and Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil. It also has a Aloe Vera, Green Tea, Glycerin and Castor Oil, and licorice root.

I wanted to keep this simple and you could really customize this spray and use different Essential Oils that fit your skin type.

 

DIY Antioxidant spray

1 Organic Green Tea Bag (matcha tea would too concentrated for a spray, and might even leave you green 😦

Vegetable Glycerin

Witch Hazel infused with Rose hips I used this

I first brewed the tea bag in about 4 oz of water, let steep at least 5 min.

I added equal amounts of green tea to Witch Hazel and then added 1/2 teas. vegetable glycerin.

It is best just to make a small batch, since there is  not any preservatives in it. I made about 2oz. (1 oz of green tea and 1 oz of witch hazel) then I added my glycerin.

 

I made this same spray and added my Vitamin C powder. I used this Since Vitamin C Serums have a shelf life, the powder is nice to make your own sprays and serums. I added about 1/8 teas to this spray. If your skin starts to get irritated from Vit. C, don’t add as much or don’t use as frequently.

• Benefits of Vitamin C: The antioxidant properties of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and its role in collagen synthesis make vitamin C a vital molecule for skin health. Dietary and topical ascorbic acid have beneficial effects on skin cells, and some studies have shown that vitamin C may help prevent and treat ultraviolet (UV)-induced photodamage.

When I make the serum I just add Vit C Powder and Glycerin. Vitamin C needs to be stored in a cool dry place and out of the light. It will last longer stored in dark glass bottles. I used this

• Make a small batch, this Vitamin C will be good for about a week.

Hope you enjoy this post. I have tried everything I have posted, so feel free to leave a comment.

Saving Energy or Causing Skin Damage

I will be the first one to admit, I never wore sunscreen up until about 5 years ago. I grew up outdoors playing with my friends and when I became a teenager I was sunbathing with baby oil and laying on Aluminum blankets. What was I thinking! Anyways I have learn a lot in the last 5 years and continue to learn and research new ways to protect my skin.

As I was researching mild fruit peels to correct some sun spots on my face (mainly from driving in my car) I came across some information on the new CFL light bulbs.  I’ve replaced every light bulb in my house with CFL’s because we were told they are energy saving.  The old light bulbs we used which were the incandescent light bulbs are disappearing from the stores, if not gone already. Read this article on CFL light bulbs, written by a dermatologist here

This is the peel I’m going to try here I’ll write a review once I’ve tried it.

Ingredients:
Deionized water, lactic (milk) acid, sodium lactate, sacharum officinarum (sugar cane extract), sodium glycolate, pyrus malus (apple fruit extract), citrus medica limonum (lemon extract), mandelic acid, aminopropyl ascorbyl phosphate (stable vitamin c), SD alcohol (natural), salix alba (willow bark extract), glycerine, hydroxyethycellulose, jasmine alcohol, EDTA, retinyl palmitate (vitamin a), tocopheryl acetate (vitamin e).

So what did I learn from this information? I need to wear my sunscreen not only outdoors, but indoors as well.

That brings me to my next topic Sunscreen. I learned the hard way to read the ingredients in your sunscreen. We went on vacation a couple of years ago and I just grabbed some SPF 50 for my face. After 2 days on vacation and even wearing a hat I developed a sun spot on my forehead. Weird? I found out later that the SPF had a form of Retinol in it.  We all know that Retinol should only be worn at night time, and never worn out in the sun right? With that said, I started looking at sunscreens more closely and was finding out a lot of the brands have a form of Retinol in them. Also I found out 18% of skin care companies are putting Vitamin A in Sunscreen, due to it’s anti-aging properties.

Fact: When Retinol is exposed to light, it changes the DNA in your skin and can cause sun spots. So if we are supposed to be protecting our skin from sun damage, why are these companies putting this in Sunscreen.

That,  I haven’t’ figured out, but it’s our responsibility to look at ingredients. Below are the different names for Retinol (Vitamin A)

3-Dehydroretinol, 3-Déhydrorétinol, Acétate de Rétinol, Antixerophthalmic Vitamin, Axerophtholum, Dehydroretinol, Déhydrorétinol, Fat-Soluble Vitamin, Oleovitamin A, Palmitate de Rétinol, Retinoids, Rétinoïdes, Retinol, Rétinol, Retinol Acetate, Retinol Palmitate, Retinyl Acetate, Rétinyl Acétate, Retinyl Palmitate, Rétinyl Palmitate, Vitamin A Acetate, Vitamin A Palmitate, Vitamin A1, Vitamin A2, Vitamina A, Vitamine A, Vitamine A1, Vitamine A2, Vitamine Liposoluble, Vitaminum A.

These ingredients should not me in your sunscreen.

 

I am currently using this sunscreen,  I am loving this and it has much more in it than just sunscreen.

Active ingredients: Octinoxate 7.5%, Octisalate 5.0%, Homosalate 7.0%, Oxybenzone 5.0%, Zinc Oxide 6.0%.

Inactive ingredients: Bisabolol, Caffeine USP, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Polyphenols, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Phosphate, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Dimethicone, Disodium EDTA, Disodium Lauriminodipropionate Tocopheryl Phosphates, Ectoine, Ethylene Brassylate, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Laureth-7, PEG-12 Dimethicone, PEG-100 Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylamide, Polysorbate 60, Silybum Marianum (Milk Thistle) Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Squalane, Sorbic Acid, Water, Xanthan Gum.

If your not local you can find this sunscreen here

This sunscreen does have Oxybenzone in it. Oxybenzone, which can soak through skin, triggers allergic skin reactions, and may be a hormone disruptor.

It is hard to find a sunscreen without any harmful ingredients. This one does not have Vitamin A in it, from the ingredient description anyways. It does have Oxybenzone which concerns a lot of consumers. Bottom line it is a matter of picking what ingredients matter the most to you in the end.

I did come across this website that sells SPF with Natural ingredients

EWG rates this a 1 on there safety scale. if your not familiar with EWG, it’s a good resource, all this company does is test skin care. http://www.ewg.org/2015sunscreen/

Also I’ve added a link to a recipe for homemade waterproof sunscreen. Did you know that Coconut Oil has a natural SPF of 10 and some some essential oils as well. Anyways, I may try to make my own soon.

Homemade Sunscreen

I know this is a lot of information, I am learning just like everyone else. I don’t claim to be a professional, just a consumer that likes to research and try new products.  Just take the extra time to look at ingredients and if all possible, make your own or research natural skin care companies.

The Sun is out on this beautiful first day of 2016, go and enjoy and remember to wear your sunscreen.

 

Tammy

 

Winter Fashion

The weather in Ohio has been nothing short of rainy and gloomy this  month. Knowing how to dress for temps one day in the 60’s and then the next day in the 30’s is a bit challenging. Remember when you were little and your Mom said to dress in layers? Well, she was right!  You can still look fashionable and be prepared for any weather. I thought I would share a couple of my favorite outfits, and some tips to surviving the weather.

Love, Love, Love this look. Chunky Sweater,Wool coat in Camel, and paired with a Leather Purse and denim.

 

Rain Boots; My absolute favorite. So fun and fashionable and guess what? They are great in the rain! 😉  A little tip, I check here throughout the year, they have sales online and you may be able to snag a pair for under $100. Also Hunter makes boots for Henry Bendel and they are usually a lot cheaper than buying Hunter. Usually every year they will feature a Rain boot on their site, these black crock with a Henri Bendel stripe on the back were from 3 years ago. Unfortunately I don’t see they have any rain boots this year. I keep checking though, because when they do, they are pretty unique and fun. www.henribendel.com

Also Duck Boots are the latest fade. I’m sure it’s because they are cute but will also make a great addition to your wardrobe.   I did my research on these and found out everyone was buying the brown and blue. I always want to be somewhat unique so I opted for the Sperry Saltwater boot, in black and plaid.  If Santa brought you a Gift Card to Amazon, you can find these cute boots here

Click here DSW has these boots for $89.95, they are usually $120.00. I had already purchased boots for Christmas at DSW, so I had $30 in Certificates. So I scored these boots for $59.95, Yay! me.

My next favorite is pushing the envelope and wearing white, yes after Labor day.  Be different and wear all white and then pair with  vintage  leather ankle booties.

Denim, Denim, Denim..

Denim will never go out of style. You can pair it with anything, even a denim top and jeans if you pair the shades of denim right.

 

Have fun with fashion. Remember; a good leather bag, some denim, rain boots, a vest, or a nice chunky sweater is just what this weather ordered.

I have fun looking for that perfect outfit and I’m always challenging myself t0 get a great deal. Which is why I usually find amazing outfits or pieces to amazing outfits at Thrift Stores, Online, or places like T.J Maxx and Marshalls. Never pay full price for your clothes, well unless it’s something you can’t do without, because you’re worth it.

 

 

 

My Pre-Workout Regimen

 

 

I thought I would share a few secrets of mine to help with muscle growth, Stamina and just overall Awesomeness!  I know, I’m being silly.. but it happens eventually I promise.

 

It’s a bit of a routine preparing to go work-out, between eating, taking supplements and planning what you are going to wear I mean, It can take hours….Just kidding. But at least start planning what your going to eat before you workout.

 

With that said, I make sure If it’s a workout day I want to eat more calories that day. Increase my Protein and Carbs (Healthy Carbs). Food is Fuel, remember that. So lets fast forward to 1 hour before you work out.

After eating healthy all day, I will chose a protein to eat 1 hour before I work out.

1. Greek Yogurt
2. Protein Shake
3. Protein bar
4. Nuts

Just to mention a few! You see you don’t want to eat real heavy but you still want to get protein in. So chose something just right, I have even made Proats before which is good choice for Protein and Carbs, Just watch portion size on this.

 Proat Recipe: 1/4 cup organic oats, 3 Tbs water. Microwave for 1 minute, then add 2 egg whites stir and microwave for another minute. Add organic Honey, Ceylon Cinnamon and a Tbs of Peanut Butter. I have this recipe down to a science, it’s usually my go to breakfast.

Half hour before a workout I start eating again, this time I usually eat a piece of Organic seed bread with peanut butter and a half of banana. For the average person they can just take a pre-workout, but not for this girl.. Pre-workouts supps tend to work the opposite on me. So I get my fuel from food. Then next I start taking my supplements, Below are just a few of my pre-workout blend I take.

 

http://www.swansonvitamins.com/q?kw=bee+pollen

http://www.swansonvitamins.com/q?kw=branched+chain+amino+acids

 

 

Branch Chain Amino Acids are the building blocks for Protein. You can find BCAA’s in powder form as well and add to water. I prefer to just take the pill form. Sometimes I will add powder form to my water and sip on it throughout workout, this is the kind I use http://www.amazon.com/Cellucor-Alpha-Amino-Supplement-Count/dp/B00HM9OJFY/ref=sr_1_9?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1451503909&sr=1-9&keywords=cellucor

Bee Pollen, I use for energy before a workout. Click on the link and see all that is in Bee Pollen,  I actually had blood work lately and my B12 levels were off the charts. So I basically quit taking my  B complex and B12 vitamins due to the high content in Bee Pollen. Bee Pollen is all I need. I use the granules as well to sprinkle on yogurt or oatmeal. But the Capsules are convenient.

I also take L-Carnitine, L-Arginine and Creatine before a workout as well.

L–carnitine transfers long-chain fatty acids, such as triglycerides into mitochondria, where they may be oxidized to produce energy. Carnitine has also been shown to reduce fatigue and serve as an appetite suppressant as well

L-Arginine In the body, the amino acid arginine changes into nitric oxide (NO). Nitric oxide is a powerful neurotransmitter that helps blood vessels relax and also improves circulation. More circulation more pump

Creatine is a nitrogenous organic acid produced in the liver that helps supply energy to cells all over the body – particularly muscle cells. It is made out of three amino acids: L-arginine, glycine, and L-methionine.

With all of this said, check with your doctor before working out or taking any supplements. A lot of supplements interact with medication and can be harmful.  I also get blood work yearly to make sure I’m not over taking any supplements.

 

Also make sure to eat at least 15-30g protein after a workout, Ideal is within 30min. I also take 2 BCCA’s and 2 L-Glutamine for Muscle recovery.

 

Happy Working out!

Bone Broth/Collagen Supplements

Bone Broth/Collagen What did you say? Healthy Joints, Firming and Glowing skin…No, you won’t turn into a witch if you brew some bones up, I promise. I first learned about Bone Broth from the Paleo world, they were using it to help in joint health and some would even start drinking a cup a day to prepare for an upcoming surgery. Since I chose to start working out in my 40’s I have noticed Stiffness and Soreness in my joints from repetition and thought this would be a way to improve Joint Health.  See Bone broth has a lot of nutrients for our bodies, It’s high content in  Calcium, Magnesium and Phosphorus makes it great to support Joint and Tooth Health. Some will claim it helps with Cellulite as well as it supports Smooth Connective tissue. It’s wonderful for our Skin, Hair and nails due to its high Collagen content.  7 Reasons you ask: Skin, Hair, Nails, Joints, Fatigue, Energy, Protein.

I really enjoyed reading Wellness Mama site and I hope you enjoy the recipe for making your very own Bone Broth. http://wellnessmama.com/5888/how-to-make-bone-broth/

In case your don’t have time to make your own bone broth, try this supplement I found on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XQ2XGAA?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

This is organic and made from bovine, dissolves instantly in hot or cold beverages. 1 scoop a day, 10g protein as well. 41 servings in each canister. I did a lot of research and compared this to http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Dhpc&field-keywords=vitaprotein , which is also very good source.

Please feel free to leave a comment, any questions welcomed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pumpkin Cashew Protein Smoothie

14 oz unsweetned Cashew Milk

1 Cup of Pumpkin Puree

1/2 Banana

3 Tablespoon Hemp Seed

1 teas. Pumpkin Pie Spice

3 Tbs  Cashews

2 Scoops of protein powder

1 Tbs honey or Maple syrup

1 cup of Ice

Place ingredients in the above order in blender.

Nutritional Facts: Serving size: 3

Honey Chocolate Veggie Muffins

1 1/2 Cups of Whole Wheat Flour

1 1/2 Cups of Oat Flour

2 teas Baking Soda

2 teas Baking Powder

1 1/2 teas Cinnamon

2 Tablespoon of Cocao Powder or (unsweetned Cocoa)

2 eggs

1/4 Cup of Honey

1/4 Cup of Stevia

1 Cup of Giradella 60% Chocolate Chips

3 Cups of Shredded Zucchini

1 Cup of Shredded Carrots

Directions: Mix all dry ingredients and Chocolate chips in bowl, Beat eggs, Add Shredded vegetables, Honey. incorporate together.

Place in Muffin tin bake for 17 min on 350 degrees.

Muffins can be frozen and thawed and taste great. I added a large raisin on top, you could also use walnuts.

 

Nutrition Facts: Servings: 17 muffins

Calories: 126

Total Fat: 2.7g

Sodium 202mg

Potassium  155.9mg

Total carbs 23.7g

Fiber 3.0g

protein  3.9g